This post is for my fellow newborn photographers, especially if you are starting out.
Have you ever been a couple hours into a newborn session and baby just won’t settle down no matter what you do?
Your stress level is rising, and you can feel baby’s parents stress levels rising, too?
As a Phoenix newborn photographer, I can tell you—we’ve all been there. Every photographer has experienced a session where baby is fussy, nothing seems to work, and the pressure starts creeping in.
Here’s my biggest piece of advice: stay calm.
Seriously. Babies are incredibly sensitive to stress and tension, and they feed off the energy in the room. If you stay grounded and composed, it can help both the baby and their parents relax too.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few go-to strategies that help bring the calm back into a stressful session. These Phoenix newborn photographer tips might just save the day next time things feel a little off.
Here are the steps I go through when a newborn session gets stressful.
- Take a break
If baby is upset and nothing is working, don’t be afraid to hit pause. Resist the urge to push through. First, check the basics—
Is baby fed?
Diaper clean?
Warm enough (or too warm)?
Is the swaddle too tight or irritating?
White noise is your best friend—make sure it’s on and set to a volume that mimics the womb.
2. Bring in mom
If baby’s needs seem to be met but they’re still unsettled, try a cuddle break with mom. Have her walk around the room, talk softly, and snuggle baby close. I’ve seen this simple act work wonders more times than I can count.
While they have this moment, step away. Go wash your hands, breathe deeply, reset your mind. It helps more than you might think.
3. Check for discomfort
If this doesn’t help, evaluate baby again. Are they in pain? Maybe gas? If parents have some gas drops, use them. These can be a life saver!! You can even keep some on hand in to bring with you to your sessions.
4. Know when to reschedule
After trying all the above, if baby is still having a rough time, it’s okay to call it a day. Sometimes, they’re just having an off day. Rescheduling for another time allows everyone to start fresh—with much better results.
There’s no magic trick, just a little patience, empathy, and experience. These Phoenix newborn photographer tips have helped me create a calm environment for even the most unpredictable sessions.
What other tips do you want to hear? Comment or email me at sally@sallywhettenphotography.com with questions. I’m happy to share what has worked for me over the years!
Do you have any tip to give parents before a inhome newborn session?
Thankyou!
Hi Kelly, Yes I have some tips for an at home session. First, find the room that has the best window light in the mid morning. That is the room you want to use. Second, clear the clutter in that room. Tidy it up so it will look great in your photos. Third, I always like to have things as neutral as possible so baby is not over powered by patterns and colors. Wear some light neutral clothing and have some solid neutral blankets for baby to wrap in and lay on. I hope this helps!